Page 110 of Syncopation
“Turns out you have a severe allergy to whatever it was. You had an anaphylacticreaction.”
Ohshit. He must have looked shocked or disturbed, because Zavier stroked his cheek. “You’re fine now.”
Which meant he hadn’t been then. Fuck. He leaned into Zavier’s touch and listened as he spilled out the rest of the story. Mish’s EpiPen. Dom riding with him to the hospital to direct treatment. Zavier speaking to the cops. There were lawyers and law enforcement involved now,from the local to the state and even the record label. Everything jumbled in his head.
It was only the next day. Dom and Mish had left to clean up and change, leaving Zavier on watch. Ray had a sinking suspicion that Zavier chose to stay because he would not leave.
It was a Zavier thing to do.
But overall, the whole situation was amess. The rest of the tour—well, their part of itas the opening band for Five Asylum—had been canceled. The press was full of photos and rumors.
Tears came to Ray’s eyes, and that was horrible and unexpected, but he couldn’t help them. He’d known Carl hated him, but hadn’t thought that hate was enough to make Carl want tokillhim. That one fact played over and over in his mind.
Zavier wiped the salt trails away, murmuring words thatdidn’t make sense.
Finally, Ray whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for. None of this was your fault.”
On the surface, he knew that. But deep inside? He didn’t understand how it had even come to be. “Butwhy?” Why did Carl hate him so much? What had Raydone?
“Carl Roberts is a vindictive asshole who can’t cope with anyone he sees as inferior climbingabove him. Didn’t matter that you worked hard. Didn’t matter that you’re insanely talented. He only saw class and status.”
“The dumbass slacker succeeding.” Made a twisted sense. “Shit, that’s a hell of a way to live, with that much poison.”
A soft, sad laugh. Zavier tipped Ray’s chin until he gazed up. A position of trust and surrender. “Ray Van Zeller, you’re an amazing man, and I’mhonored to be your friend.”
He fucking loved Zavier. Down to his toes. With every piece of his body.
“Always?” It was all he could push out. The only word.
Emotions played over Zavier’s face, and for a moment, Ray saw fear there, but then it was gone and Zavier nodded. “Always. As long as you’re true to yourself.”
Ray closed his eyes. He wanted to be honest and true, but this wasn’ta love affair—it was a friendship. A deep and abiding one. He’d just happened to have fallen in love with Zavier, which...he’d deal with that later. Figure out how they could be themselves together.
Right now? He wanted out of this damn bed and gown. Needed to be free of all this machinery. “You think they’re gonna let me out of here anytime soon?”
Zavier let him go. “Let me go find anurse and see what I can do.”
If there was anyone who could spring him from a hospital, it was Zavier.
* * *
Took far longer than Ray had hoped to get him the fuck out of the hospital. Long enough that he endured breakfast and lunch in bed. Food wasn’t that bad, but it was still hospital food.
He spoke to both Mish and Dom on the phone, thanking the latter for everything he’d done.“I know I put you on the spot.”
Dom chuckled. “You know I’ll be there for you, but maybe you should add Zav to your health power of attorney?”
Yeah, he should. Wanted to, if Zavier was willing. Something they needed to talk about once they got out of here. If he ever got out of here. Damn, he itched to be free of this bed!
What really annoyed the hell out of him was that they wouldn’tremove the IV from his hand until the discharge papers were ready. By mid-afternoon, he was about ready to rip the thing out himself. The only reason he didn’t was Zavier’s presence by his side and the fact that Zavier’s hand was wrapped around his ankle. The occasionally tightened grip felt gloriously like a cuff and relaxed Ray in an instant.
It also made him harder than he liked, giventhat he was only wearing a hospital gown. Zavier’s sly smile didn’t help. Ray cleared his throat. “I’d say you’re awful, but—”
That smile didn’t falter. “You want it.” Zavier spoke low, in that entirely too sexy voice of his.
“I need it.” Ray glanced at the IV in his hand for the umpteenth time and every nerve itched to get up, get dressed, and get out. Hehatedhospitals. The feel, thevibe, the way they never, ever let him sleep. Granted, he’d been unconscious for most of this stay, butstill.
